You should wait for Penryn (45nm) processors. Lower fabrication means:
1) faster core
2) better architecture
3) lower power consumption
4) smaller die size
5) cheaper manufacturing price
6) better overclocking potential
Just wait for them. They are gonna appear in just few weeks. And you will then have a choice to go for newer ones or existing ones (at a lower price).
1] Faster core ? you mean faster clocks ?
2] Better architecture ? hows that related to a simple die shrink ?
5] Cheaper manufacturing price,doesnt necessarily mean that advantage is passed on to End Users.For Example, the QX9650 costs more than what the QX6850 was launched at.
I am not sure but news going around is that Intel has pushed back the 45nm CPU launches, atleast the for the mainstream CPUs as the Extreme series chip is already available.
Also from what i have seen over the years, dont expect these new 45nm puppies to be dirt cheap,reason being, they have a performance advantage and they lack competition from AMD for now.
This was seen in the case of QX9650,the first 45nm chip to debut. All earlier Extreme series processors hovered in the price range of 900-1000 $
QX9650 is still almost around 1100 $
As to the query of thread starter, if you are in a hurry, pick up the Q6600 and be happy.Even if these 45nm chips do come, bear in mind,they are STILL based on the same 'Core' architecture with some added tweaks and more cache memory.Even though it translates into better performance, its not going to be twice as fast or anything.
So basically, decide according to your requirement.